By TRINA RUNNER
News & Journal Staff Writer
For the past 12 years, FestivALL Charleston has been billed as ‘A City Becomes a Work of Art’ and this year’s celebration will not disappoint. The entire capital city is crammed with performances, exhibits and entertainment, all sandwiched between two weekends in June. Partnering with over 60 community organizations and hundreds of local, regional and national artists, it is considered a premiere arts event for the Mountain State.
The 12 days of FesivALL will last from June 16-27, beginning with opening ceremonies at Appalachian Power Park and a post-game concert by One and Tyler Childers. Main events include Charleston Light Opera Guild’s production of The Wiz, Smoke on the Water Chili Cookoff, the return of Cahsore Marionettes, and the Mayor’s Concert featuring The Temptations and The Four Tops.
Mountain Stage will feature Lucius and the Fund for the Arts will sponsor Craft Brews and BBQ with Buckwheat Zydeco and blues legend John Nemeth. ‘Wine and All That Jazz’ offers Locos por Juana and Tizer and several local acts will perform as well.
Stages will be set up all over the city to celebrate the wealth of talent being showcased. The FestivALL Arts Parade will take place on June 18, followed by the chili cookoff and an ice cream social. On June 19, all are welcome to walk along the Sunrise Carriage Trail, which will be lined with exhibits of art, music and dance.
Taylor Books on Capital Street will house a West Virginia Writers Roundtable as well as screenings of international films and Dizzy Doc’s Amazing Balloon Sculpture will be on display at the Charleston Town Center. On June 22, there will be an art auction and a display of paddle wheelers on the river, followed by a dance gala at the Culture Center Theater.
The Mayor’s Concert will take place on June 23, with the Craft Brews and BBQ on the lawn at the University of Charleston the following day. The Children’s Arts Fair and the Capital Street Art Fair will both be on June 25 and 26, followed by a Clay Center performance of Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. The final night of FestivALL will feature the Appalachian Festival of Young Voices concert at the Civic Center Little Theater.
These are just some of the events that will be attractions during the 12-day FestivALL in Charleston. Additional information about FestivALL Charleston can be found at www.festivallcharleston.com.
